Written question asked by Baroness Michie of Gallanach (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 March 1996. It was answered by Steve Norris (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 March 1996 on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Dept of Transport

Question: What legal action the Government is taking against (a) the insurers of the `Braer' and (b) the International Oil Compensation Fund in respect of the `Braer' disaster.

Answer: Mrs. Ray Michie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legal action the Government are taking against (a) the insurers of the Braer and (b) the international oil compensation fund in respect of the Braer disaster.[21482] Mr. Norris: Under the international convention which establish the international oil pollution compensation fund, which are implemented in United Kingdom legislation in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, rights to compensation are extinguished unless legal action is commenced within three years of the date on which the pollution damage occurred. The Government have initiated a legal action against the owners and third party liability insurers of the Braer and the international oil pollution compensation fund to protect the Government's claim for compensation for eligible costs incurred by the Department of Transport and the Scottish Office following the Braer incident.

Secondary information